One Kiss From You
©2000 Madz aka Kinetica
Genre: Romance/Drama/Action
Sex Content: NC-17 (not yet, but potentially - which means, kids, don't read it! ed. note: eek! Madz! two words - jail bait...lol ;)
Violence Content: PG-17
Language Content: some cussin' ;)
Language Content: original female Kayla (new mutant), Wolverine, Gambit and some other X-Men
Disclaimer: I have NO association with Marvel and do not claim any ownership towards characters created by them. I did, however write this story and in that respect it is mine, also the characters Kayla, Jill, etc are mine.
Chapter 1
She watched the sunset and cried, a single tear falling off of her cheek and kissing the top of her wrist. She sat with her legs out in front of her on the cool grass and sighed, knowing that she was alone…and different.
She had wandered into that park, hopped the fence and sat under one of the huge oak trees. New York City had rejected her, and so had her family, she had no where to go and no one to love her. She was the purple-eyed freak who could pick up tables using only one hand and cause earthquakes with her mind.
Nothing mattered, she just wanted sleep and relief and release from her life. Her eyes drooped from the long walk and she let her body drop to the damp grass, not caring if she had to sleep on the dirt. Sweet sleep crept over her eyes and soon she was dreaming of a better existence.
Logan shoved his hands in his pockets and let his mind wander as he walked around the grounds of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. As if living at a school didn’t cramp his style enough, there were barely any places around to go to—his social life was officially dead besides the mutants he knew at the school.
His eyes came upon a huddled form under a tree and he stopped in his tracks. “What the hell,” his voice dropped as he walked towards the lump slowly. When he was only a foot from the tree he realized the lump was a person…a young girl.
Logan cleared his deep voice once, finding that his action brought no response he tried again, only louder. The form stirred and soon the young girl was stretching her arms over her head and rolling onto her back. “Who are you?” He asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow at the girl.
The first thing that struck him were her violet colored eyes, they dug into his own as she struggled to respond. “I’m Kayla,” she managed, sitting up and brushing off her torn sweatshirt that hung loosely over a worn, white tank top. “That doesn’t help me much, what are you doing here?”
She stood and covered her mouth as she yawned deeply. “I-I got lost, I saw this tree and decided to sleep here.” “There’s a fence.” “Okay so I climbed it.” Logan’s right hand found his chin as he scratched his bearded face. “Are you what I think you are?” He asked calmly, his voice raising up a bit.
“I wish I could answer that,” her voice wavered as her eyes glazed with tears, “lately I haven’t been able to pin myself under any one category.” Kayla’s purple eyes bore into his hazel ones as they stood in front of one another.
“Do you know where you are?” Logan asked, crossing his strong arms over his chest comfortably. Kayla smirked, shaking her head of blonde hair slowly, “Not the slightest idea, actually.” “You’re at a school…for mutants.”
A smile spread across Kayla’s face as realization hit her. “I’m home,” she whispered, barely audible to Logan. She looked up at him and cracked a wry smile, “So do they send you out to scare all of the strangers that wander in here or just some?”
Logan chuckled, moving his hands to his hips, “Just some. I’m Logan, by the way,” he extended his hand and she shook it briefly. “I’m still Kayla,” she said with a slight laugh, shifting on her feet nervously…this guy was incredible. Though his facial hair left something to be desired, his features otherwise were extremely enticing.
“Do you think I could, um, get something to drink?” She asked, grabbing the duffel bag stuffed with clothes and random pieces of her life from the ground. Logan was hesitant to trust this run-away, but so far she had seemed normal enough. “Sure, I’ll introduce you to the professor and get you some breakfast.”
“How could she sleep outside like that? It must have been thirty degrees last night,” Logan questioned Professor Xavier as he sat in his office. Kayla had been taken with Dr. Grey for testing after eating breakfast.
“We’ll know as soon as Dr. Grey comes back with her test results. For now we’ll set her up in a room with another student and enroll her in a few classes.” A few seconds after Professor Xavier had finished speaking there was a knock at the door.
“Come in Jean,” he said, knowing from his powers that it was her at the door. “Professor? I have the test results back for Kayla.” She smiled at Logan and handed the professor a few sheets of paper. “She’s definitely a mutant. Skeletal structure is normal, but her powers are mainly drawn from the earth. She can draw heat from the ground in cases of cold weather; cause earth quakes with her mind or hand and has incredible strength. I think that in time she may develop the ability to fly as well.”
Professor Xavier nodded as he looked through the papers. “She’s welcome here then, please let her know that she’ll be enrolled in a few classes this coming week and that her room is ready. She’ll be in room ten.” Jean nodded with a slight smile and turned to leave. “Hey, don’t worry about it, Jean. I’ll tell her.” Logan suggested, holding the door for Jean as they left the room.
“Are you sure?” Logan nodded with a grin, “It’s no trouble, I’m headed for the dorms anyway.” Jean thanked him, blushing a bit from his affectionate gaze. She walked past him as she headed for her room. Logan sighed and inhaled the last waft of her perfume that he could before making his way towards the dorm where Kayla had been told to wait in the hall.
Kayla heard footsteps at the end of the hall and looked up from picking at her nails. She smiled when she realized it was Logan, the mutant who had found her earlier that day. The dorms were deserted, all of the students were at their Friday afternoon classes and she had been waiting patiently for what she was to do next.
She was tired from the monotonous testing Dr. Grey had done on her but she knew that now that they had a complete understanding of her she would be allowed to stay…or so she hoped.
“Hello again,” Kayla said happily as Logan approached her, her violet eyes lighting up. “Hey,” he replied, sticking his hands into his back pant’s pockets. “I have some news.” He began, watching her squirm in her seat, “You are in fact a mutant, and Dr. Grey tells me that you can draw heat from the earth, cause earth quakes, have amazing strength and may someday be able to fly.”
Kayla nodded, smiling at the last part, “So what does all of that mean?” “It means you can stay. You’ll be shacked up in room ten,” he pointed past her, “that’s right down there.” She nodded, standing up and grabbing her duffel bag. “I’m gonna change, I look like I just crawled out of a trash heap.”
Logan chuckled and walked with her towards the dorm room. “Professor Xavier wanted me to tell you that you’ll be starting classes her on Monday. I think it would be a good idea if you asked your roommate to take you on a tour of the grounds and maybe get introduced to some people. I know I felt a little alienated when I first came here.”
Kayla nodded; stopping with him in front of the door that led into her room. “I’ll wait for you,” Logan said quietly, watching her shut the door. Kayla sighed as she threw her duffel bag on a bed that was empty and not clad in someone’s own bed sheets. “I need to calm down, he’s way too old for me,” she whispered, trying desperately to slow down her racing heart.
Rummaging through her bag she pulled out flared blue jeans, a navy and turquoise striped three-quarter length T-shirt and a white tank top for under. She changed quickly and slipped on her only pair of shoes…her flip-flops. She pulled a brush through her lip-length blonde hair and decided she was ready.
Logan waited outside the door and across the hall, twitching his leg nervously. Finally, Kayla emerged and gave him a shy smile as she closed the door behind her. “I feel much better now,” she declared, smoothing down her shirt. Logan smiled, “I can see why.”
Chapter 2
Kayla had eaten just about enough food for dinner, she felt full but not sick, and she had decided to spend the evening investigating the school on her own. She had exhausted the halls, found the rooms she had classes in and been asked to join a pick-up game of basketball. She knew basketball wasn’t her forte and she declined, instead vying for a chance to wander around the large, beautiful grounds of the school.
She found the tree she had slept under and smiled, patting the trunk lightly, “Thanks for the heat, buddy.” She laughed at herself and leaned against the tree, letting the scent of the oak’s leaves reach her nose she sighed. Opening her eyes she spotted a form moving along the bushes across from the tree.
She watched intently as the form moved from the brush and came towards her, two glowing red eyes staring back at her as it approached. Kayla wanted to run but she was stuck fast in her tracks. Finally, the stranger came into her view and she smiled, recognizing him from the halls.
“Good evening, chere, what you doin’ out here all by yourself?” He asked, his voice accentuated by a strong Cajun accent. “Just thinking, that’s all really. I’m Kayla,” she offered him her hand and he kissed her knuckle. Kayla felt herself blushing as she looked up into his amazing red eyes.
“Logan found me by this tree this morning, I was just kind of trying to get used to the surroundings,” she trailed off in her thoughts aloud, mesmerized by his fixed gaze. “Logan, eh? I didn’t know the clawed crusader would have the heart to take in a stray.” He winked at her and extended his hand, “I be Gambit.” She shook his hand and was surprised at his strong grip.
I was consumed with his appearance; his reddish brown hair flowed carelessly over the clean bandana that had been tied around his head. A light dusting of stubble coated his cheeks and hinted at the long dimples that dented his hollow cheeks.
Besides his appearance I became aware of the strange feeling of déjà vu. I couldn’t shake the feeling as I drank in his look again and again. “Do I know you?” The words tumbled out of my mouth without my permission but there they were. Gambit smirked at me and shrugged his broad shoulders, “I dunno, what gives you dat impression?”
I didn’t know how to answer him, but my heart swelled at his very presence and I felt a far off connection with him. My eyes held his red ones as we stood silently before one another. “I need to get back to my room,” I suddenly said, my head throbbing from not being able to remember where I had seen this man.
“I walk you there, eh?” He offered, taking a few steps closer to me. I agreed without really thinking over what that entailed. His warm, rich cologne enveloped me as we walked slowly back to the building. I had never been so aware of a person before, and my thoughts began to drown out his words. “Where you from?”
“Huh?” “I asked where you were from,” he chuckled slightly. I felt myself blushing from my sudden bout with deafness and recovered quickly, “I was born in Florida, my parents and I moved to New York and then I came here.” He nodded slowly as I spoke and I knew he was understanding everything I was saying and not just patronizing me with his nodding.
Finally, after a walk that seemed like hours but had really only been minutes, we came to my dorm room and he kissed my hand again, “I’ll see you in your dreams.” At the time the comment seemed strictly charming and I smiled in response, but little did he know how right he was.
Chapter 3
Weeks past, fall turned to winter and soon I found myself engrossed in my schoolwork and the books my roommate Jill had with her. She was a complete treat to live with. Though we weren’t exactly the same, we filled in the missing traits of the other and coexisted beautifully.
Jill was the kind of mutant that didn’t judge you on your powers or your origin; she simply enlightened you with her wit and kindness. Similar to the mutant Rogue’s power she absorbed energy, memories and power with tactile contact. She was shy at times but grew more confident from my outspokenness. In turn, I found myself using more tact when I spoke instead of jumping at every opportunity to speak my mind.
I had grown comfortable with the lifestyle of being a student there. But with my comfort came a growing sense of curiosity. There were plenty of male mutants around and until then I had just seen them as friends and nothing more. Now I realized that I had never really experienced love from another mutant. Jill showed me friendship and the kind of love a sister gave—but not soul entwining love.
My dreams became increasingly important to me. Gambit and Logan appeared in them almost every night. I still felt déjà vu whenever Gambit was near me and I felt myself coming closer to answers as my dreams became longer and more logical. Finally, I realized how much I needed to feel passion from another mutant. Loneliness began to consume me and I longed for companionship.
It was a few days before Christmas when Logan approached me in my dorm room. I was reading Hamlet, a book I had neglected reading for years but finally found the time to read, when I heard his undeniably “Logan” knock at the door. “Come in,” I said sweetly, dog-earing the page I was on.
His intense brown eyes peered back at me from the door and I smiled from my upper bunk bed. “What’s up?” I asked, sitting up in my bed and straightening my T-shirt. It was late evening and I was ready for bed, Jill was visiting a friend a few doors down, leaving me alone.
“Just came to say good night,” he replied, his raspy voice caressing my ears and making my heart pump faster. “You haven’t visited in a while,” I tried to make conversation, wanting to prolong his stay. “I know, I’ve been really busy, I’m sorry.” I loved the way he spoke, directly to the point and without any stalling.
“I suppose I can forgive you,” I winked at him and laughed slightly. A slight dimple dented his cheek as he chuckled, walking closer to my bunk and finally leaning against its wooden post. “Something on your mind?”
I could tell he was thinking about something, his eyes were avoiding me and his foot was tapping the floor nervously. He shrugged, reaching up to run a hand through his shaggy dark hair. My eyes stayed on his hand, knowing that beneath the smooth skin were deadly adamantine claws.
“Just thinking a lot, ya know?” The rather vague question hit home with me and I nodded fervently. “Definitely,” I replied, moving closer to the edge of the bunk and resting my elbows on the wooden frame of it. “Anything specifically?”
“Just lonely, I guess,” I saw a hint of sadness, almost longing in his eyes as he spoke, “us mutants have to get used to that…but I’m sick of it.” The uncharacteristic words clutched my brain and squeezed it until words tumbled out of my mouth. “No kidding,” I sighed deeply, feeling the exact same emotions he was at that time.
His brown eyes found mine and I felt my voice catch in my throat. Nothing killed my calm like his gaze and I knew not even that Cajun charmer Gambit could make me churn inside as he did. “I’m lonely, too,” I managed, my lower lip trembling a bit as my eyes looked over his rugged features.
Logan nodded slowly, his hands clutching the railing I was resting against. I glanced at his hands and saw his knuckles turning white. He noticed too and relaxed his grip as his cheeks flushed slightly. “Damn holiday season, all the mistletoe and cheer makes it worse.” I chuckled slightly, shaking my head a little to get the blonde hairs that had wandered onto my face back onto my head.
“So did you come here to say good night or make me play psychiatrists?” I asked with a smile, cocking an eyebrow at him curiously. Logan shrugged again, his mysterious and aloof attitude shining through. “You’re the only person I can tell this to, really, I’d tell Jean but then I’m sure Scott would have to burst in and pretend like he has something I don’t.”
My heart clenched at the thought of Dr. Grey, I knew about his feelings for her but also acknowledged her deep love for Scott Summers. “He does have something you don’t,” I replied coolly, licking my lips to keep them from growing dry. “Oh yeah?”
“Yeah,” I chuckled, “subtlety.” Logan cracked a smile and I watched his chest jump with his laughing with growing interest. “But you have something that he definitely lacks.” I felt my hormones boosting my confidence, I needed some ass and he was the closest thing containing testosterone.
“And what’s that?” Logan’s smooth voice made me want to shiver but I held it in. I lowered my face so that I was centimeters from him, opening my mouth I glanced from his perfect lips to his eyes and back to his lips again, “sex appeal.” The look in his eyes was indescribable, lusty and happy and affectionate.
I felt my cheeks beginning to tingle from my profuse blushing and I took my head a few inches away, embarrassed. He sensed my self-shock and chuckled softly, watching me squirm. “I’m sorry, that was rather candid,” I stuttered, covering my mouth with an intense feeling of self-loathing.
“Candid…but nice,” Logan replied, tipping his head to the side slightly. That incessant burning in my chest intensified and I wanted to have him right then and there. I was going crazy, my need for love was taking over my sensibilities and I tried hard to relax and recompose myself. “I really need some sleep,” I groaned, running two hands through my careless blonde hair.”
“No, you really need somethin’ else…and I know exactly what that something is.” That damn heat was there again, his voice had that effect on me. I lowered my face back to his and smirked, signaling for him to continue. I was expecting words but instead was surprised with his lips coming for mine.
I panicked but knew that I would have to be out of my mind to stop him. I knew he liked me as a friend but never once thought he had an attraction greater than that towards me. I was a student, and he was man—but just then he was a boy and I was a girl…experiencing our first kiss together.
The most vivid memory of that kiss was the care and tact with which he kissed. His right hand reached up and held my head to his, pressuring my face against his. His lips were like nothing else, soft and loving yet warm with a sort of fiery passion that I’d never felt before. The radiant confidence that he exuded showed through his kiss and the next thing I felt was his tongue.
I melted against him when I felt that first hint of his tongue, the taste of it only suggesting itself as he kissed me. He tasted like heat—as crazy and dizzying, as it was exciting and enticing. I suppose heat could be mistaken for cheap beer but I wasn’t complaining and thankfully neither was he. My mind cursed that stupid bed railing for being between us, I wanted to rest against him but it just wasn’t possible.
Finally, our tongues touched for a glorious second and soon mine was coming for his again…hungry for that distinctive tingling sensation. I felt him smile into the kiss and my throat vibrated with a soft moan as his fingers dug gently into the back of my head. Nothing compared to the satisfaction and hope that I felt when we finally broke the kiss.
We locked into each other’s gaze, frightened to say or do anything else. Logan, being the stronger individual he was, let his right hand drop from my head and gently touch my cheek. I sighed at the motion and put my left hand on his right and pressed his warm, clammy hand against my face. “Good night Kayla,” he whispered, winking at me as he took his hand back. I smiled and glanced down nervously once before looking back up into his face. “Good night Logan.”
Chapter 4
I bounced around my room singing Britney Spears songs and brushing my hair. Nothing felt better than knowing that I’d just kissed Logan the night before.
Just one kiss from you and suddenly
I see the road laid out in front of me
You give me strength,
You give me hope,
And when you hold me in your arms you make me whole…
Jill noticed me singing the song of a pop star I hated and became suspicious. She watched me flounce around the dorm room like an idiot with growing interest. “So what happened?” She finally asked, her bright blue eyes watching me in the mirror’s reflection. I smirked, knowing that there would be no way to keep this from her.
“Don’t tell anyone, but Logan kissed me last night,” I said quietly, my eyes sparkling with the knowledge of how sublime the action was. Jill’s eyes grew huge and she began to bounce around the room with me. “That’s amazing, was it good?” I chuckled, climbing up onto my bunk and picking up Hamlet. “Of course it was,” I said, rolling my eyes. It was a lazy Saturday morning and I had nothing better to do then read until lunch--then I’d go find Logan.
“I’m going to the optics seminar in the cafeteria,” Jill explained, grabbing her backpack and shoving a water bottle and a few pieces of candy into it, “You sure you don’t wanna come?” I looked up from Ophelia’s suicide and chuckled lightly, shaking my head at her, “Why are you even going to that?”
“To see that hotty with the body, Scotty,” Jill said with a sarcastically condescending tone. “Scott? Come on Jill you can do better than him. Seriously, that guy’s a walking anus,” I caught Jill (who was facing the door) giving me a stern look and I slowed my words, “and he’s in the doorway, isn’t he?” Jill nodded slowly with a laugh. Thankfully, Scott was only suspicious of my profuse blushing and hadn’t heard me.
“Kayla?” I nodded and hopped off of my bunk and came towards Scott. “I wanted to give this to you before I started the seminar, Logan asked me to give it to you.” I smiled and took the envelope from him. I glanced up at him still standing there patiently and thought of Jill. “My friend Jill here is coming to your seminar, in fact she’s obsessed with anything having to do with eyes,” I lied, nodding my head towards Jill who had crept forward a few steps.
“That’s great, I’d love to walk you to the cafeteria and give you a preview of the discussion,” he offered, his facial expressions still bright despite the disuse of his eyes for emotion. Jill smiled, slapping my hand as she and Scott left the room for the cafeteria.
I turned from the door hastily and flew back up to my bunk, letting my fingers run over the masculine writing on the front saying, “For Kayla.” Unable to contain my excitement I slit the envelope open with one of my fingernails and took out the thrice-folded piece of paper inside. Opening it, I took a deep breath before beginning to read.
Dear Kayla,
Hope you have a good weekend, I just wanted you to know that I’ll be gone for a day or so on a mission with Jean, Ororo and Rogue. I’ve been asked to go along in place of Scott because of his seminar and because he’s been feeling a little under the weather. Wish me luck…some time alone with Jean—finally that one-eyed freak is out of the way for a little while. Take care and don’t kick anybody’s ass that I’d want to fight.
Best wishes, Logan.
The rage that emerged suddenly caused me to instinctively crumple the piece of paper in my hand. I looked at it; Logan had touched it with his hand—maybe the same hand that he had put on my head while we were kissing. I collapsed onto the bed, short of breath, with the piece of garbage still in my hand. I couldn’t believe what had just happened…and the tears wanted to flow but for some reason they couldn’t. They welled up inside of me, as my nerves became oblivious to everything around me. I stared at the wall ahead of me and would occasionally glance up at the paper fate in my hand.
I just lay there with my gaze fixedly ahead for hours. I missed lunch for sure, and I lay there for so long that I missed dinner as well. God only knows the exact amount of time, but it was long, and I was shocked beyond belief.
Chapter 5
Finally, with insanity pulling at my brain I dropped the letter and left the dorm room after throwing on a sweater to protect me from the light dusting of snow and left the building. I roamed outside absentmindedly, my mind completely numb to the people and things around me. I didn’t know where Jill was, and I didn’t care, either.
I came to the Oak Logan had found me under and cringed. Finally my emotional dam broke and the multitude of tears that had built up stung my eyes. My cheeks were drenched and blotchy when I finally sunk down, leaning back against the tree and buried my face in my knees.
I cried hard and long and forgot about where I was or what I was doing. I was so destroyed that I didn’t notice someone approaching me until they were only a foot or so in front of me. Slowly, I lifted my head from my knees and found Gambit looming over me with his trench coat blowing lightly in the gentle breeze.
He held a can of Dr. Pepper in his hand and I watched as he spun it expertly around with his fingers. I was mesmerized by the simple act, and my eyes tried to focus on his face but my vision was too blurred by my incessant tears.
“You don’t look so good, chere,” he finally spoke, tipping his head to the side slightly. I sighed, nodding my head slowly, wishing he knew just how not good I was. My stomach was gnawing on its own walls—I hadn’t eaten since lunch the day previous because I had been too busy trying to finish my homework early to bother with supper.
He sat down across from me and watched me huddled against the tree with my cheeks stained and blotchy from the tears. He cracked open the soda and took a few thoughtful sips while he watched me. My throat was desperately dry and I watched him drink wistfully.
Gambit noticed the look and offered me a drink. I took it gratefully and took a long, glorious swig. I thanked him as I handed the maroon colored can back to him, tasting the bite from the slight flavor of nicotine his lips had left on the rim of the can. It took a few seconds before I felt the effects of the soda.
Suddenly it hit me, the soul bit of caffeine was the only thing in my stomach and it had been a horrible mistake. I stood quickly, steadying myself against the tree’s trunk. I lurched forward, feeling the objection my stomach had to the liquid. That horrible, choking feeling began to rise in my throat and it finally broke…the relief coming in interrupted waves of vomit.
Gambit was immediately on his feet and had begun to rub my back gently as I finished hurling my guts through my mouth. When I had finished coughing he extended an arm my shoulder as we began to walk back towards the mansion, “Come with me, petite.”
Chapter 6
Bread and cold soup had never tasted so good before. I sat in Gambit’s nicely furnished room at his desk and ate the food he had managed to get for me. After nearly a half an hour of arguing with the cafeteria cooks he had been able to find me tomato soup, French bread and some cookies. It wasn’t gourmet but I wasn’t complaining.
I felt awkward as I sat there eating in my still damp sweater with his gleaming red eyes studying me scrupulously. “Thanks again for dinner,” I said quietly as I stared back at him stretched out on his bed a few feet from me. “Don’t mention it, but now you gonna tell Gambit what’s botherin’ you?”
I sighed, feeling weak and tired and not wanting to explain—but also I knew that I offered him an explanation. His kindness had been unfailing and he deserved something from me. “I received a rather terse goodbye from Logan this morning in the form of a letter. It also revealed his casual transfer of affection from me back to Jean Grey.”
The silence that followed was unbearable and I sighed again, but more deeply. Gambit sighed as well, picking at his bed sheets nervously. “Do you love him?” He asked quietly, his voice hoarse and unsure. I hadn’t expected the question, mainly because Gambit and I were the kind of friends that had an unspoken “don’t ask don’t tell policy” when it came to love.
“I didn’t until last night, we had a rather intimate exchange and I had myself convinced that I loved him…but now I’m not so sure.” It was a lie; I loved him more than anything but I couldn’t let Gambit see the holes in my thinking. He nodded slowly, not completely believing me.
“You think at de end of de night it’ll be Jean and Logan and not Kayla and Logan?” He questioned, sitting up and leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. The probing question made me flush slightly and I busied myself with stirring my dead soup. “I can’t really answer that. I guess I don’t know.”
I shut my eyes against the tears that threatened, for once I just wanted to be sure of my feelings. “Logan’s not going to get Jean, Scott will get Jean. And Logan will not get Kayla if Kayla don’t start understanding how Logan t’inks.”
For the first time ever, Gambit had said something to me that he had thought out and not just said to impress me. He was right, too. Logan wasn’t like any other guy I had ever known—he was mysterious and uncertain and inconspicuously self-conscience.
“He wants someone who’s a challenge, doesn’t he?” The obvious logic suddenly dawned on me and my eyes grew huge at the thought. Gambit nodded slowly, a smile spreading across his ruggedly handsome face. “Don’t no body who know how much Logan or myself loves a challenge.”
“God, Gambit, this is a breakthrough that’s so blatantly obvious—leave it to me to look right in the opposite direction,” I sighed at my own blindness and Gambit chuckled coolly from his bed. “I think you need some sleep, belle, you finish eatin’ and then head back to your room. I be here sleepin’, you be alright, neh?”
I laughed slightly; his adorable accent was too much sometimes, “Sure thing, Gumbo.” Eating the last few bites of bread and slurping down my soup I saved the cookies for later and stood from the desk chair, smiling at Gambit who had stripped off his clothes under the covers and fallen asleep in a matter of minutes.
Chuckling at his fatigue I stood over him for a few seconds, watching his chest rising and falling with his breathing. Finally, I kissed his cheek and whispered “thanks Gambit” before shutting the door behind me as I left.
Chapter 7
Christmas was that Tuesday and Logan and the other X-Men on the mission were returning Monday. The weekend past agonizingly slow but finally Monday came; I had cooled off and kept my mind off of Logan with the help of Jill and Gambit. Monday morning I woke to Jill singing Christmas carols into the mirror and brushing her long, brunette hair.
“Morning,” I greeted, sitting up in bed and stretching my arms over my head. I massaged my sore right arm that I had slept on and smirked from her cheerful mood. “So who died and left you a fortune?” I asked with a chuckle, throwing off the covers of my bed and dangling my feet off of the edge of the bunk.
“Not quite, but there IS a note for you that I found slipped under the door this morning,” she chimed, dropping a small piece of folded paper onto my bunk. I grabbed the note and opened it immediately.
Kayla
Meet me at the oak after dinner.
Logan
“Could he BE more mysterious?” I asked with a giggle, knowing that this was the perfect opportunity to test myself. Jill smiled and turned from the mirror, “I know, what a lazy ass!” I stared at her blankly, “So you read my notes now?”
Jill covered her mouth with both of her hands and squealed slightly. I laughed at her and hopped down from my bunk. Grabbing my robe and slipping it over my pajamas to keep myself from catching a chill. “Looks like Kayla’s going to get one helluva Christmas present…” I ignored her and stuffed the note under my pillow before heading to our hall’s showers and bathrooms, knowing that I’d have to look great that day.
“I bet you’re anxious to get outta here,” Jill giggled slightly as she watched me eating my dinner with little interest. It was one of the few nights of the year we were given a decent meal at the cafeteria…that night instead of my usual macaroni I had gotten turkey and of course all of the usual Christmas sides. Unfortunately I was too distracted to enjoy it.
I had already scanned the large room several times for Logan and come up with nothing. I had caught Gambit’s eye and given him a wink and he returned the gesture. Scott and Jean sat a few seats from him and ate while talking…completely engrossed in one-another. Jill was still watching me and I humored her by looking up from my food.
“What? What do you want me to say?” I asked with attitude, sick of her getting in my business like that. “Whoa, you can like the man just please don’t turn into him,” she replied with a laugh. I realized how tense I was and attempted to calm myself down, taking deep breaths and trying hard not to think about Logan at all.
After what seemed like years people began to leave the cafeteria and go back to their rooms. I hopped up from my seat and walked slowly over to the tray drop off area. I said goodbye and merry Christmas to Jill, giving her a hug, before heading for the exit.
“Hi,” Logan said quietly as I approached him. He was leaning against the tree in his usual, the flannel shirt, denim jacket and finished off with the worn leather jacket. “Hey,” I replied, equally quiet.
I stood a few feet from him, simply watching him and waiting for him to make the first move. “How was your weekend?” He asked, glancing up from the grass frozen with a coating of inch-deep snow. “Fine…boring,” I replied, avoiding his gaze, “How was the mission?” “Easy.” There was a long pause before he finally spoke. “Jesus girl can’t I at least have a hug?” His tone was desperate and I obliged him, sighing as I melted against his warm body.
ulling away I found him with a devilish grin on his face. I studied him with a smirk and then watched as his eyes flicked upwards. I followed his gaze up to a branch a few inches above his head…pinned with a ridiculous amount of mistletoe.
“You’re crazy,” I whispered, shaking my head at him. I found his gaze and let myself drown in his eyes for a few moments. “So are you going to honor the tradition or what?” He sounded expectant and that was just what I wanted. “I don’t know, what’s in it for me?” I asked, pulling away from his embrace and placing my hands on my hips.
Logan’s gorgeous eyes grew wide with surprise from my declination. He stared at me as I kicked absentmindedly at the snow before grabbing my hand from my waist, squeezing it gently. “I know what you’re thinking…”
“Do you? Maybe I should start writing YOU cute little notes so you can really know what I’m thinking,” I replied, taking my hand away from him. “Kayla, please,” he was pleading with me now and I knew it. His eyes had grown like that of a puppy dog’s and I melted, not being able to hurt him like that anymore. I was opening my mouth to answer him when he continued.
“I know that note I wrote Friday was, well…” “uncalled for?” “Yes, thanks,” he said, his eyes avoiding mine. The tension rose and I wanted to turn and run from him and sleep and forget it was Christmas. A shiver tingled up my spine and Logan noticed, stepping closer to me and bringing me into a hug.
I let my hands rest on his chest as he hugged me, his nose burying itself in my hair. I could hear him inhaling the scent of my shampoo and I knew that with a touch like his I couldn’t deny him anything ever again. Pulling away from him slightly I looked up into his face, still warmed by his strong arms wrapped around me.
“Kayla,” he began, his smooth lips opening to speak more but I put a finger to his lips. “Do you know what I want for Christmas? I mean what I REALLY want for Christmas?” He shook his head and I brought a hand up to his face, letting the back of my hand caress his cheek gently. I smirked and locked eyes with him, “Just one kiss from you…”
The smile that crept onto his face was breathtaking and is forever in my mind. He bent down in that next instance, hugging me tightly to him as his lips opened on contact with mine. I sighed into the kiss, my arms reaching up and wrapping around his neck as I felt that tingling that had been gone for days rising in my full stomach…no vomiting today.
I wanted to pull away and tell him that he wasn’t going to get out of my arms ever again but decided it could be deemed inappropriate at that time. His tongue found mine and my arms jerked his head even closer to mine. I swear I could feel his heart beating against his chest and against my ribcage. I could feel the scratchy fuzz of his shaggy sideburns against my skin and it only enhanced the experience.
A strong wind ripped through the grounds and Logan felt me shiver against his body even as we kissed. He pulled away from me and I wanted to scream at him for doing so but suddenly realized the logic in it. “Do you want to take this inside?” I nodded slowly, mesmerized by his warmth and general aura. Before I knew it he was guiding me towards the mansion with one arm around my waist.
Chapter 8
“So you missed me, huh?” Logan asked, smiling at me shyly. “No, not in the least,” I answered sarcastically, rolling my eyes at him. We sat on a soft rug that had been laid out in front of the nice fireplace in his room. I loved being in the rooms of the X-Men versus the students…our dorm rooms were crap compared to this. I watched the flames leaping up and down in the fireplace and I knew Logan was watching me. I had stripped off my layers of outdoor clothing and was now only in a blue T-shirt and khakis. The fire reminded me of the Christmas’s I used to spend with my family before they knew I was a mutant. We’d sit and roast chestnuts like the song says and then eat until we thought we’d burst. I missed the presents and the family and the loving atmosphere—though this atmosphere was just as loving.
For some reason the reality of where I was and whom I was with hadn’t dawned on me. I stared at the fire going into a state of heavy meditation until Logan cleared his throat and I snapped out of my daze. I looked over at him lying on his side to my right. I looked away, something about him in flannel made me cook inside.
“Why won’t you look at me?” He asked, chuckling slightly as his warm eyes held my presence. “You make me kinda nervous,” I confessed, glancing at him before looking back at the orange and yellow flames. Logan chuckled again; his throaty laugh and constant gaze making me feel like that damned fireplace…alive by fire with nowhere to go.
“Does this make you nervous?” He asked, scooting closer to me and resting himself a little higher up on his elbows. “What?” I asked, casting a sideways glance at him. “This,” he whispered, kissing my ear gently. My eyes fluttered shut and I completely forgot about his question.
“Well, does it?” He asked, his voice low and directly into my ear. My eyebrows scrunched together from the severe perplexity I felt…it was strange being sought after by a guy I had been dreaming of for so long. I nodded slowly, not wanting to break the rhythm of his slow, divine kisses.
“I think you just have to get used to me,” he replied, that voice of his making me feel like Jell-O. I could feel his facial hair rubbing against my cheek as he continued to kiss my ear and then on my jawbone as he moved lower. He found the sweet spot in my neck and something inside of me snapped.
Those needy feeling I had been having the day he first kissed me returned with a fury and I grabbed him around the neck, pinning him to the floor. I heard the slick metallic sound of his claws unsheathing and I trembled slightly. “Sorry,” he said quietly, retracting the dangerous weapons, “reflex.” I giggled slightly and lowered my head to his, sharing short, delicate kisses with him.
My hands lost their grip on his chest and slid upward on his body so that my hands were finally grasping his shoulders. Suddenly, I lost sight of what I wanted to do—the immense weight of what was happening beginning to bare down on me. My eyes clenched shut and I sat up on him, still straddling is waist.
I buried my face in my palms and breathed quickly, not understanding the emotions that had overcome me. I felt scared and helpless and that this was just about the worst situation to be in at that time. Logan sat up, bringing me closer to him and tipping my forehead against his shoulder. “What? What is it? Did I do something to scare you?” He asked quickly, trying to pin the reason for my sudden repulsion.
“No, Logan, I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I replied, sobbing quietly into the soft fabric of his shirt. His strong arms came for me and supported me against his body. I had never known the kind of tenderness he could show but I was definitely seeing it now. “It’s okay, I wouldn’t hurt you…you know that don’t you?”
The words lifted my head without my doing so but it didn’t matter, I stared into his face with my jaw slightly slackened. “I know,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat, “I know.” He had completely floored me with his compassion; I would expect any guy to be disappointed in me for being so emotional, especially someone with such a hard exterior.
My spirits lifted a bit from knowing that he was more than I had thought and a smile brightened my face as I looked at him. “You know what you are?” I asked him, narrowing my eyes at him. One of his quirky eyebrows jumping questioningly, “What’s that?” “You my dear Wolvie,” I brought my face closer to his and lay him back down onto the rug slowly, “you are an M&M.”
A laugh left his lips suddenly and I smiled in return. “I’m not joking,” I said, trying to regain my composure. “What makes you say that?” He inquired, his eyes sparkling as I loomed over him with one hand on either side of his body.
“Two things,” I began, kissing his chin gently. “You’re hard on the outside and all gooey on the inside.” That brought a chuckle from him and I smiled, kissing the tip of his nose as he waited anxiously for me to go on. “Secondly, you melt in my mouth,” I kissed his lips softly and let my eyes wander up to his, “and not in my hands.”
My lips crashed onto his as I let go of the floor, enjoying yet another kiss with him. I could feel him smiling into the kiss from my scientific explanation of him and I could then feel his hands staying precariously on the small of my back.
When the kiss was broken he flipped us over so that I was resting under him. I watched his enticing lips pull into a smile as he felt that first feeling of victory over me. He was in charge now and frankly I didn’t mind it in the least.
“You, however, are not an M&M,” Logan said with a chuckle, lowering himself so that his face hovered slightly above my neck. He planted kisses on my jugular as I waited for him to explain. “You melt in my mouth AND in my hands.” I giggled and then calmed down almost immediately from his warm presence. I had grown comfortable with his sweet and subtle intimate inclinations and the feelings I had felt earlier that evening melted away.
His thick fingers played with the hem of my T-shirt and I gulped my next breath, knowing what he was implying. I let him lift it off of me as I glanced upwards towards the door to double-check that it was locked. It was indeed and I sighed in relief as I liquefied into a puddle of excitement and yearning for what was to come.
Logan’s warm lips and fuzzy sideburns grazed my stomach and my chest jumped. I could feel my heart beating in my ears and the blood inside my body was racing around without any sign of slowing. He pressed another kiss to my stomach and my hands instinctively tangled in his dark hair, urging him to continue.
His kisses landed on my stomach and then began to fall higher until he kissed his way up the center of my chest. My heart was making me almost deaf now as I watched him coming for me. We kissed and I reached up, putting both of my hands on the back of head to keep his face to mine. I could feel him against me and it only made things worse, but not wanting to back out again I pulled his lower lip into my mouth as we kissed and sucked on it slowly.
Our kiss lasted for minutes, every time one broke for air the other would demand more and continue the kiss. My face felt sore and raw from his scratchy facial hair rubbing against my cheeks but I ignored it, the small pain was worth the immense pleasure.
My hands left his head and smoothed over his shoulder down to the buttons on his shirt. Ripping at them while we stayed attached at the tongue I finally pulled his flannel shirt off with a little help from him. I silently cursed him in my head for wearing yet another layer as my fingers fell down his ribbed A-shirt clad chest. My fingers clutched the center of it as his kisses ignited my powers and I pulled at it. The tank top ripped down the center of his back with a smart sound that heightened the energy of the moment.
I heard him grown into the kiss as my cool fingers slid down the undulating muscles of his back and came around to the front, letting my hands explore every muscle up to his chest. Finally, we broke the kiss—both of us now a little short of breath. My hands clutched his shoulders as his gazed burned into my eyes and I knew that the violet centers of my eyes must have been burning just as intensely.
No words came to mind as we stared at each other, both of our chests heaving. The next thing I thought of was getting rid of those worthless pants of his but he acted first…reaching down to the fly of my khakis. Within seconds I had shrugged them off and my fingers were coming for his pants. His jeans became loose around his waist and he kicked them off, both of us silently hoping that they’d miss the fireplace.
They did, and we were free to continue our exploration of one another. I had never been with someone like him; most of the guys I had ever dated were slightly inhibited and knew nothing about making a kiss or single touch special and meaningful. With Logan I felt like every movement he made led to something bigger and better and even more sinful.
“Oops,” Logan raised an eyebrow at me as he dragged a finger down the center of my chest, taking my strapless bra with him. I smirked and sat up a little on my elbows as he slipped the tube top looking garment down my stomach and lower, finally off of my body. His hands traveled over my hips and up to my chest, I gasped at the warmth his hands possessed and suddenly my heartbeat was in my ears again.
Our gazes locked and the gentle look he gave me made me feel like crumbling. I knew that he was going to be gentle with me because of his seniority but still, there was something reassuring and complacent about the way he looked at me. His hands moved around to my back and he flipped us again so that I was resting on top of him now.
I sighed as our flesh melted together and the ear that I put to his chest let me hear the constant thudding of his heart. Logan’s strong hands swept up my back and gently massaged my shoulder blades, making me relax and slowly my eyes shut. My fingers traced the sculpted lines of his abdomen and then up by his pectoral muscles. I smiled when I heard the slight jingling of his dog tags as my fingers caressed his smooth skin.
“Are you okay with this?” Logan asked gently before pressing a kiss to my forehead. I nodded against his body and kissed his chest a few times. “Good, because otherwise I can’t look at you anymore…I’ll have to fuck if you if I do.” The small smile I had been showing spread across my face and I looked up at him as he watched me.
“How soft is your bed?” I asked, eyeing the king size bed over is shoulder. “I don’t think you need to worry about that,” he replied with a chuckle, his hands squeezing my shoulders. “Okay…then look at me.”
Chapter 9
I woke later in my own bed, feeling sore and completely disheveled. How I had gotten there only god knows, but my guess at the time was that Logan must have carried me while I was asleep back to my dorm room…night vision has its perks.
I rubbed my head and sat up, wincing at how raw my lips and face felt from his facial hair. Then I smiled, realizing how incredible my Christmas Eve had been. I glanced at the clock and realized it was only five in the morning. Knowing I could use a few more hours of shut eye; I fluffed my pillow and rolled back onto my side to sleep.
I slept peacefully for a few hours until I woke up, drenched in a cold sweat. The shock that I felt made body tremble. I tried my hardest to calm my body but I couldn’t stop shaking and I slowly lay back down, hoping my body would relax.
I replayed the dream in my mind and began to tremble even more violently. It all made sense now…why Gambit gave me déjà vu, and why Logan felt an unspoken and incomprehensible connection with me. He must have still been able to smell the antiseptic liquid on me. There were two years of my life that were fuzzy, the very first two. My parents had told me I was adopted when I was very young and I had accepted it without any quips but this new element made everything piece together.
I had seen dark tunnels with buzzing halogen light bulbs illuminating its halls, I had seen those same red eyes peering back at me from the dark and I had smelled that same smell that Gambit secreted. I could see the semi-permanent black markings allover my body and the people in lab coats standing over me with razors and contraptions I had never seen before. I was warm, though the water was cold; my powers saved me from certain pneumonia.
I felt numb from the eyes down and I could hear faint voices vibrating in the liquid tank. “This will prove my theory that regenerative powers are not necessary to survive this operation…” Then a pain in my shin I could not describe with words as one of the contraptions sliced into my flesh. I was no longer numb there and I screamed into the oxygen mask, my two-year-old body convulsing violently from the sudden invasion. Then as more of the machines were coming for me there was an explosion above me. People screaming, running and my trembling body still trembling under the cool, antiseptic-like liquid. A hand ripped the oxygen mask from my face and the liquid rushed into my lungs for a second before the hands pulled me from the body-length tank.
The air filled my lungs but my eyes were blurry and in my dream I could see them roll back into my head as the stranger that had caused the explosion ran with me in his arms from the place. When I came-to, a flash of those same red eyes and then nothing but adoption clerks and nurses around me.
I sat up in bed, my body beginning to come back under control. I shoved the covers off of my body and felt for my shin. My forefinger ran up the long scar on my right shin and I winced from the memory my dream provided me. “It’s true…Gambit saved me.” The reality of it was amazing…the odds of him being at that school—and remembering me.
But it would be easy for him to remember me, my violet eyes gave me away—just as his red ones helped me piece everything together in my dream. I shook my head to clear it of the exhaustion I felt. Glancing at the clock I realized it wasn’t such a bold hour to be awake and I felt for the robe hanging on the end of my bunk. I slipped it on quickly and jumped down from my bunk nimbly, finding Jill still asleep.
“I have to find Gambit,” I whispered to myself as I ripped my pajamas off and threw on a pair of jeans and a tight T-shirt. I didn’t bother with a bra; I was too caught up in the panic of knowing what I owed him. I ran through the halls of the mansion and to Gambit’s room. I heard nothing from within and I knocked gently.
Rustling sounds came from within and then finally the door opened a crack. “Gambit,” I said, out of breath and even more so after seeing those red eyes that had appeared in my staring back at me. He looked tired and unshaven but he let me in anyway.
“Gambit, I know what you did for me,” I whispered as he shut the door and stood leaning against it. He nodded slowly, his red eyes searching the floor rug for something to say. His strong arms crossed over his chest as he stood before me in simply flannel pajama pants.
“You know somet’ing, chere?” He asked his eyes finally looking into mine. “What?” I asked, still on-edge and curious for answers and explanations. “When I saw those men carryin’ you down that tunnel I first just wanted to pick their pockets while they worked. Then I saw dem purple eyes a’ yours and I knew what I had to do.”
My hands began to sweat, I owed this mutant my life and there was nothing I could say right then to make up for it. “Gambit…I don’t know what to say…except thank you, thank you for saving my life.” A smile played on his lips as we looked at one another. He pulled a hand through his thick brown hair and sighed, “How’d you find out?”
“My dreams,” I whispered, feeling foolish for the somewhat unbelievable explanation. “Your dreams, eh?” Gambit chuckled and pushed himself away from the door coming over to stand in front of me. My fingers played nervously with the hem of my shirt as his gazed locked on me.
“I’m glad you know, and there’s only one t’ing I ask for in return,” Gambit told me, his warm hands closing on my shoulders, “a kiss, petite, like I have wanted all dem days before when we talked.” I inhaled deeply, knowing that my heart belonged to Logan and my life belonged to Gambit.
I nodded slowly, knowing that I was greatly indebted to him and lucky to get off with such a pleasurable payment. He brought his lips to mine and steadied my face with his hands, cupping my cheeks, and I pulled my hands up to rest on his bare chest. The tiny flame I had kept burning for him erupted into an inferno and I felt as though I might scream right into his mouth.
I locked myself into a calmer frame of mind as his lips forced mine open. No, the word no flashed in my mind and I knew that it was a big mistake. I felt suddenly repulsed by the taste of nicotine and expensive Chambord in my mouth supplied by his tongue. But at the same time, the exotic and warm flavor made me dizzy and my visions of repulsion disappeared.
His hands ran parallel with my jaw as his thumbs stayed just before my ears and I wished I could put my arms around his neck but I had undoubtedly frozen the second he had initiated the kiss.
Gambit’s tongue ran over mine gently and that pushed the button. My arms flew around his neck. My fingernails dug into his neck as I urged him to stay locked into me and he obliged me.
I opened my eyes timidly to see his shut tightly and I felt suddenly paranoid from the act. I clamped my eyes shut without another thought and concentrated on the love his tongue was making to my mouth.
Finally, he broke the kiss and I opened her eyes slowly to see him smiling at me with his charming grin. His thumb ran over my lips and a warm feeling began spread throughout my body as the euphoria diffused. I pulled away from him slowly and my finger touched the corner of my mouth as I let the tingling feeling subside.
“I um, I have to go now,” I stuttered a bit, pulling back farther from him and giving him a shy look. Gambit nodded understandingly, “If Logan asks, tell ‘im to come see me, I explain everyt’ing to him, right?” I nodded slowly and waved to him timidly as I left his room and headed back towards my dorm to dress in something a little bit warmer.
to be continued...
